1848 New Bedford, MA mini check, signed Andrew Hicks, Whaler, shipbuilder. I combine shipping whenever possible to give you the lowest possible postage cost. Thanks for looking!

Andrew Hicks 
Birth: 17 JUN 1799 in Westport, MA I 2 
Death: 4 FEB 1895 in Westport Point, MA I 
Burial: Hicks Cemetery, Barney Hicks Homestead, 1603 Main St., Westport, 
Bristol Co., MA 
Note: From "Rep. Men and Old Families of SE Mass", p 771: "Andrew Hicks, eldest son, of Barney and Sarah (Cook) Hicks, was born in Westport, MA June 17 1799, and resided on the home farm until he was 13 years of age, when he went to Adamsville, RI. There he was engaged as a clerk in a store, where he remained for 8 years, until he opened a store of his own, which he conducted for 3 years. Returning then to the home farm he several years later, in 1836, fitted out a vessel and began an extended whaling business, which he continued with marked success for more than half a century. 

At one time he owned interests in 11 vessels (Including the Andrew Hicks and Mennaid) and during his career built 8 or more vessels. He owned Hicks' block in New Bedford. Mr. Hicks in former days was a Whig and after the formation of the Republican Party was active in support of its principles. He represented Westport in the Legislature of 1866, and for a third of a century, and perhaps more, he was a justice of the peace. He was forc41 years before his death a director of the Merchants' National Bank of New Bedford. Mr. Hicks was a very careful and sound financier and was very successful. He was modest in his bearing and upright in all his dealings, and so lived as to command the respect of all. He never married. He died at Westport Point, Feb 4,1895 in the 96th year of his age." Hicks while quite a financier of ships, and built the ship, Andrew Hicks known to be the last American Whale ship in operation, 1880-1891. The Andrew Hicks, was sold to become a merchant ship in 1917.